Racist Abuse Halts Spanish Soccer Match, Moroccan Player Targeted

In Biscay, several incidents have been recorded in recent months, particularly "in lower category matches," local sources told El Correo. The latest occurred last weekend in Erandio, during a match between Basamortu and Balmaseda B. The referee had to suspend the match after racist insults were directed at a player of Moroccan origin.

The Moroccan player "informed the referee that he would not continue to play," which led the referee to suspend the match at a tied score, it is detailed. Balmaseda B condemned on Monday on social media "any act of racist or xenophobic violence, wherever it comes from." For its part, Basamortu expressed on Tuesday "its indignation and commitment against any type of insults or aggression" in football. This incident is the third recorded since October in Biscay.

A few days ago in Vitoria, violent clashes broke out during the Basque Youth League match between Lakua and Indautxu, on the Sansomendi facilities. The Bilbao team was attacked by a group of about ten hooded men who entered the field. After these incidents, Lakua received a warning of closure of its facilities and was ordered to pay a fine of 600 euros as well as 350 euros to the Biscayan club.

Last month in Portugalete, several individuals jumped onto the pitch after the match between Jarrilleros and Sestao. In addition to threatening the referee, one of them punched one of the coaches, leaving him almost unconscious. The president of the Vizcaya Federation, Iñaki Gómez Mardones, and his Basque counterpart, Javier Landeta, expressed their concerns about these incidents that "have multiplied after the pandemic," stressing the urgency to "act firmly" to put an end to this phenomenon.